For the first time since the Edmonton Eskimos' Grey Cup victory last fall, the defensive lineman will play tomorrow night against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

"(Heck) it has been awhile," said Spencer after practice yesterday.

"Hopefully the rust shakes off on the first play and then I can contribute and help our team get right back in the mix."

Spencer has been dogged all season by a calf injury - which has really been his story for almost a year.

The non-import tackle missed three games last year with the calf problem and then watched it flare up during the first week of training camp this spring.

"I wouldn't even have fathomed waiting this long to play again," he said.

"It was just a run of bad luck and now it is over, hopefully, and I can get out there and start producing again."

Before his injury-shortened 2005 campaign, Spencer led the Eskimos in sacks in 2004.

SHORT HITS: To make room for Spencer on the roster, Will Loftus has been moved to the one-game injured list with a hamstring strain ... The Spencer-Loftus transaction is the only announced change to the Esks' 46-man roster, which means A.J. Gass will not play this week, nor will Andrew Nowacki ... Long-snapper Taylor Inglis and defensive back Reggie Durden remain on the 46-man roster, but could be healthy scratches again this week.